Supporters

The mentorship program for future livestock farmers is a training and support program designed to help people to plan, launch, and expand grass-based farm businesses in Southwest Wisconsin. The program builds on existing mentorship programs in the region by providing access to land in Southwest Wisconsin through the Southwest Badger Grazing Broker. The program specifically targets the following counties: Crawford, Dane, Iowa, Grant, Green, Lafayette, La Crosse, Richland, Sauk, and Vernon.

Learn how you can help beginning farmers

Who can help?

Each participant in our program has unique needs, so we provide matchmaking to help them get access to the resources that beginners need, including land, livestock, experience, capital, and markets. Supports of this effort include:

Landowners who want to see their land used for grass-based agriculture

People who care about military veterans and their families

Eaters who appreciate where their food comes from

Farmers who want to support the next generation

How to help:

There are several ways to help, and we welcome efforts big and small. Here are several ideas:

Landowners: contact the Southwest Badger Grazing Broker to request a landowner profile. The Grazing Broker will assess the value of your land for grazing and help you to design and implement fencing and watering systems that will support livestock. The Grazing Broker can also help you find a beginning farmer who wants to rent your land for grazing.

Supporters of military veterans: spread the word about the mentorship program and encourage veterans to learn more and apply. Special financial incentives are available to support military veterans in agriculture.

Eaters: sign-up to buy from beginning farmers. Contact the program facilitator, Robert Bauer, to express interest in purchasing products from participants in our program.

​Farmers: Consider a tax-deductible donation of money or livestock to support a beginning farmer. Contact Wendy Warren, Southwest Badger RC&D Executive Director, for more information.